I don’t know if Beck and Paul McCartney ever met, much less jammed together, but if they did, my guess is that it would have sounded a little something like the self-titled debut release from Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Described by founding member and New Zealand native Ruban Nielson as “alien beatnik pop music,” UMO explores the boundaries of 60’s psychedelia and 90’s hip-hop breaks.  Raw in style and ingenuous in production value, this record is how every overly ambitious musical premier should sound.

Now based in Portland and performing live as a proper three-piece outfit, Unknown Mortal Orchestra is primed for success.  On tour this summer with Yuck and the Smith Westerns, UMO is laying the foundation for an incredibly bright future.

TAGS: Reviews, Music Reviews

What do you get when an indie hip-hop producer from Brooklyn moves to Los Angeles to make a “contemplative and melodic” computer-centric record?  A pretty good fucking listen if you ask me!

On his latest LP KEVINSPACEY, Cassettes Won’t Listen, AKA Jason Drake, combines the best of his hip-hop past with his electronic future to deliver big beats with tons of musical experimentation.

With the title a nod to his new home in L.A., CWL pushes the boundaries of genres and steps in to the world previously owned by Cut Copy and Hot Chip.  But regardless of how you categorize this record, KEVINSPACEY is going to end up on heavy rotation in your headphones as soon as the first track drops.

TAGS: Reviews, Music Reviews

Recently, KISS front man Gene Simmons was quoted as saying that “technology was ruining the world.” He clearly hadn’t listened to the new Little Dragon album when he made that statement because this little electronic record is making life better all around it!

In the past year, this Swedish quartet has toured with Gorillaz and De La Soul, leveled an appreciative crowd at SXSW, made a believer out of ?uestlove and wowed Outkast star Big Boi so much that he invited them to appear on his next LP.  Needless to say, these kids have been busy.

Their third album Ritual Union is killer.  Mid to uptempo synth beats and drum loops drive the record, but it’s the dripping vocals of lead singer Yukimi that make this a very special listen.  Dark?  At times.  Moody?  For sure.  Brilliant?  Absolutely!

TAGS: Reviews, Music Reviews